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04/06/2012

Your Morning Dump... Where there's no reason to second-guess

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

In the big picture, the Sox did plenty right. They outlasted reigning MVP Justin Verlander and overcame a 2-0 deficit against closer Jose Valverde, who hadn’t blown a save since 2010. Their resilience made September feel like a thing of the past.

And then the bottom of the ninth happened.

In the span of four batters, Mark Melancon and Alfredo Aceves managed to call into question half of the team’s offseason. Melancon allowed two hits, then got yanked (more on that in a minute) for the new closer, who had spent all spring stretching out as a starter.

Aceves hit a batter, then served up Austin Jackson’s walkoff single to left.

Ballgame finished. Questions only beginning.

Why didn’t Aceves, the team’s best multi-inning reliever last year, start the ninth? And then why was Melancon given such a quick hook, particularly with the No. 9 hitter at the plate?

And the second-guessing of Bobby Valentine has already begun. Welcome to Boston, Bobby. Where, when your team loses, no matter which moves you made they were all wrong.

Aceves didn't start the 9th because he's the team's closer and it was a tied ballgame. And Melancon got yanked so quickly because he was handing the ballgame to the Tigers and Bobby wanted to do something to save the game. To stop the bleeding, Bobby brought in his closer who didn't fare any better. Watching the closer come in to a non-save situation and lose the game is nothing new around Boston.

Valentine has to know who he has, who can come into what situation, and who he can depend on. These aren't things you can determine over a few weeks of Spring Training. You can get a feel for it, sure. But until the games actually mean something and guys feel legit pressure, you don't really know. It wouldn't be surprising to see Bobby shuffle the pen around a bit before he settles on a hierarchy.

And some days, Franklin Morales is the best arm out of the bullpen. Let's just all try to avoid making sweeping judgements after a single day of ball.

Comments

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

In the big picture, the Sox did plenty right. They outlasted reigning MVP Justin Verlander and overcame a 2-0 deficit against closer Jose Valverde, who hadn’t blown a save since 2010. Their resilience made September feel like a thing of the past.

And then the bottom of the ninth happened.

In the span of four batters, Mark Melancon and Alfredo Aceves managed to call into question half of the team’s offseason. Melancon allowed two hits, then got yanked (more on that in a minute) for the new closer, who had spent all spring stretching out as a starter.

Aceves hit a batter, then served up Austin Jackson’s walkoff single to left.

Ballgame finished. Questions only beginning.

Why didn’t Aceves, the team’s best multi-inning reliever last year, start the ninth? And then why was Melancon given such a quick hook, particularly with the No. 9 hitter at the plate?

And the second-guessing of Bobby Valentine has already begun. Welcome to Boston, Bobby. Where, when your team loses, no matter which moves you made they were all wrong.

Aceves didn't start the 9th because he's the team's closer and it was a tied ballgame. And Melancon got yanked so quickly because he was handing the ballgame to the Tigers and Bobby wanted to do something to save the game. To stop the bleeding, Bobby brought in his closer who didn't fare any better. Watching the closer come in to a non-save situation and lose the game is nothing new around Boston.

Valentine has to know who he has, who can come into what situation, and who he can depend on. These aren't things you can determine over a few weeks of Spring Training. You can get a feel for it, sure. But until the games actually mean something and guys feel legit pressure, you don't really know. It wouldn't be surprising to see Bobby shuffle the pen around a bit before he settles on a hierarchy.

And some days, Franklin Morales is the best arm out of the bullpen. Let's just all try to avoid making sweeping judgements after a single day of ball.